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Leafs face goaltending quandary

Coach Carlyle noncommittal on who will start against St. Louis

James Reimer #34 of the Toronto Maple Leafs looks up after giving up a goal against the New Jersey Devils during the second period at the Prudential Center on March 23, 2014 in Newark, New Jersey. Photo: Adam Hunger/Getty Images

TORONTO — It is the toughest decision Randy Carlyle has had to make all year.

With nine games remaining and the Toronto Maple Leafs mired in a five-game losing streak, does the head coach go back to the former No. 1 goalie who has gone two months without winning a game he started? Or does he roll the dice and put in a 30-year-old minor-league journeyman who has never started an NHL game?

Carlyle might wish a third option presents itself.

Jonathan Bernier, who has missed the last five games with a strained groin, participated in an optional practice on Monday. While the goaltender was unsure about when he would return, he is not ruling out Tuesday night’s game against the St. Louis Blues.

“I had a pretty good day today,” Bernier said. “I’ll see how it feels tomorrow. When the staff feels my strength is right, then I’ll be ready to go.”

Toronto remains in a playoff spot, but its hold is slipping with every loss. The Leafs are tied with the Detroit Red Wings with 80 points (the Wings have played two fewer games, though). They occupy the two wild-card spots in the Eastern Conference. Both are one point ahead of the Washington Capitals and two points ahead of the Columbus Blue Jackets.

James Reimer #34 of the Toronto Maple Leafs gives up a goal to Damien Brunner #12 of the New Jersey Devils during the first period at the Prudential Center on March 23, 2014 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Adam Hunger/Getty Images)

James Reimer, who led the Leafs to their first playoff berth since 2004 last season, has started all five games during Bernier’s absence. He has allowed 18 goals during that span and was replaced by Drew MacIntyre during the second period of Sunday’s 3-2 loss to the New Jersey Devils. MacIntyre stopped all 14 shots he faced.

When asked who might start on Tuesday against the Western Conference-leading Blues, Carlyle was noncommittal.

“You make the decision on who you feel is going to give you the best opportunity to have success in the game,” he said. “That’s not going to change. What happened last game, sure you take that into consideration. But the most important thing is the individual we choose to represent ourselves in that position, we feel confident that he’s going to get the job done.”

Whether it is Reimer, MacIntyre or Bernier, the Leafs skaters have to do a better job of supporting their netminder. Reimer has certainly allowed some soft goals during the losing streak, but he has also faced a number of breakaways, odd-man rushes and point-blank chances. As a result, Toronto has given up the first goal in the last seven games and trailed by two or more goals in five of those games.

“I think that Bernier’s obviously been a huge part to our team and the success we’ve had, but whether he’s back or not we have to play better and we have to play more to our strengths,” captain Dion Phaneuf said. “To see him out there is encouraging for us. But we’re confident in the goaltending we have when he’s not there as well.”

Toronto Maple Leafs goalie Jonathan Bernier watches a puck go past him during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the New York Islanders on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2014, in Uniondale, N.Y. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

“Everyone goes through tough times,” forward Dave Bolland said. “I know I’ve gone through tough times and it’s confidence and it’s being behind your player and helping him out. It’s about your team and the guys in the room that help you out at a time like this. We’re here for Reims. If anything happens, it’s as a team.”

Bernier, who had lost just once in regulation in his last 13 games, would be the obvious choice to play if he were available. But it is still a pretty big if. On Friday, he admitted to suffering a setback in his recovery after he “tried to push it hard to see if I could play (last) weekend.”

“Obviously, it hurts to see your team lose but at the same time it’s one of those injuries where you have to take your time,” said Bernier, who added he still needs to feel comfortable when making a save while doing the splits. “I don’t want to rush and then you’re out for another four or five games after. But I think we have to stay positive.

“I’ve watched all the games. We’ve done a lot of things good. We’re just one goal away from OT or getting two points. We’re on the right track. Everyone makes it a bigger deal than it is.”